Fuse with electro-negative gas interrupting means

Abstract

There is provided by this invention a current limiting fuse having a fuse element wound about support means consisting of a non-stoichiometric oxide core that produces an electro-negative gas when heated by the melting fuse element. The generation of the electro-negative gas results in more rapid and efficient arc extinction.

We claim: 
     
       1. A fuse, comprising: (a) an insulating housing;   (b) electrically conductive terminal means at each end of said insulating housing for sealing the ends thereof;   (c) an elongated core traversing the entire length of the insulating housing;   (d) a fuse element helically wound around and in continuous surface-to-surface contact with the core and electrically connected to the electrically conductive terminal means; and   (e) the elongated core being composed of a non-stoichiometric oxide for evolving an arc extinguishing, electro-negative gas when heated by the combination of the heated fuse element and a resulting arc during current interruption.   
     
     
       2. A fuse as recited in claim 1 wherein the electro-negative gas essentially consists of oxygen. 
     
     
       3. A fuse as recited in claim 1 wherein the insulating housing is filled with silica sand. 
     
     
       4. A fuse as recited in claim 1 wherein the non-stoichiometric oxide is an inorganic oxide core.